Self cleaning cold plate

ABSTRACT

A cooling liquid flow switch includes top and bottom plates, and first and second rotatable inserts. The first rotatable insert is located within the first opening of the top plate. When in a first position, the first rotatable insert creates a first liquid flow configuration within the flow channels of the top plate. When in a second position, the first rotatable insert creates a second liquid flow configuration within the flow channels of the top plate. The second rotatable insert is located within the second opening of the bottom plate. When in a third portion, the second rotatable insert creates a third liquid flow configuration within the flow channels of the bottom plate. When in a second position, the second rotatable insert creates a fourth liquid flow configuration within the flow channels of the bottom plate.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to information handlingsystems, and more particularly relates to a self cleaning cold plate.

BACKGROUND

As the value and use of information continues to increase, individualsand businesses seek additional ways to process and store information.One option is an information handling system. An information handlingsystem generally processes, compiles, stores, or communicatesinformation or data for business, personal, or other purposes.Technology and information handling needs, and requirements can varybetween different applications. Thus, information handling systems canalso vary regarding what information is handled, how the information ishandled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, andhow quickly and efficiently the information can be processed, stored, orcommunicated. The variations in information handling systems allowinformation handling systems to be general or configured for a specificuser or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airlinereservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. Inaddition, information handling systems can include a variety of hardwareand software resources that can be configured to process, store, andcommunicate information and can include one or more computer systems,graphics interface systems, data storage systems, networking systems,and mobile communication systems. Information handling systems can alsoimplement various virtualized architectures. Data and voicecommunications among information handling systems may be via networksthat are wired, wireless, or some combination.

SUMMARY

A cooling liquid flow switch includes top and bottom plates, and firstand second rotatable inserts. The top plate includes a first opening ina center of the first top plate, and multiple flow channels. The firstrotatable insert is located within the first opening of the top plate.The first rotatable insert may rotate between first and secondpositions. When in the first position, the first rotatable insert maycreate a first liquid flow configuration within the flow channels of thetop plate. When in the second position, the first rotatable insert maycreate a second liquid flow configuration within the flow channels ofthe top plate. The bottom plate includes a second opening in a center ofthe bottom top plate, and multiple flow channels. The second rotatableinsert is located within the second opening of the bottom plate. Thesecond rotatable insert may rotate between the first and secondpositions. When in the first portion, the second rotatable insert maycreate a third liquid flow configuration within the flow channels of thebottom plate. When in the second position, the second rotatable insertmay create a fourth liquid flow configuration within the flow channelsof the bottom plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration,elements illustrated in the Figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.For example, the dimensions of some elements may be exaggerated relativeto other elements. Embodiments incorporating teachings of the presentdisclosure are shown and described with respect to the drawings herein,in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are block diagrams of a portion of an information handlingsystem according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;and

FIGS. 3-7 are diagrams of a cooling liquid flow switch according to atleast one embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a general information handling systemaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The use of the same reference symbols in different drawings indicatessimilar or identical items.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description in combination with the Figures is provided toassist in understanding the teachings disclosed herein. The descriptionis focused on specific implementations and embodiments of the teachingsand is provided to assist in describing the teachings. This focus shouldnot be interpreted as a limitation on the scope or applicability of theteachings.

FIGS. 1-2 illustrate a portion of an information handling system 100according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Forpurposes of this disclosure, an information handling system can includeany instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable tocompute, calculate, determine, classify, process, transmit, receive,retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, communicate, manifest,detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information,intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, or otherpurposes. For example, an information handling system may be a personalcomputer (such as a desktop or laptop), tablet computer, mobile device(such as a personal digital assistant (PDA) or smart phone), bladeserver or rack server, a network storage device, or any other suitabledevice and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, andprice. The information handling system may include random access memory(RAM), one or more processing resources such as a central processingunit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic, ROM, and/or othertypes of nonvolatile memory. Additional components of the informationhandling system may include one or more disk drives, one or more networkports for communicating with external devices as well as various inputand output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, touchscreenand/or a video display. The information handling system may also includeone or more buses operable to transmit communications between thevarious hardware components.

Information handling system 100 includes a processor 102, a cold plate104, a cooling distribution unit (CDU) 106, a cooling liquid flow switch108, a motor 110, and a manual rotation mechanism 112. In an example,information handling system 100 may be a server rack system includingCDU 106 and multiple servers with components needing liquid cooling fromthe CDU. Processor 102 is in physical communication with cold plate 104.CDU 106 is coupled to cooling liquid flow switch 108, which in turn iscoupled to cold plate 104. While cooling liquid flow switch 108 isillustrated outside CDU 106, the cooling liquid flow switch may be oneof multiple components within the CDU without varying from the scope ofthis disclosure. Alternatively, cooling liquid flow switch 108 may belocated within a server that includes cold plate 104 and processor 102.

In an example, cold plate 104, CDU 106, and cooling liquid flow switch108 may combine to provide liquid cooling of processor 102. In thisexample, CDU 106 may receive a cold cooling liquid from an external heatexchanger and provide hot cooling liquid back to the external heatexchanger. CDU 106 provides the cold cooling liquid to cooling liquidflow switch 108, and receives hot cooling liquid from the cooling flowswitch. Cooling liquid flow switch 108 may provide the cold coolingliquid to cold plate 104 and receive hot cooling liquid from the coldplate.

In previous information handling systems, the coolant pipes providingthe cold liquid from the CDU to the cold plate may cause dirt or othertype of debris to build up on the micro channel surface of the coldplate. In these previous information handling systems, the filter in theCDU was not inline with the cold liquid coolant pipes. The dirt ordebris would continue to build up on the cold plate of the previousinformation handling systems because the flow of the cooling liquidthrough the cold plate was continuously in the same direction.Information handling system 100 may be improved by cooling liquid flowswitch 108 reversing the cooling liquid flow through cold plate 104 toremove the dirt or debris build up on the micro channels of the coldplate. When the cooling liquid flow switch 108 reverses the coolingliquid flow, the dirt and debris from cold plate 104 may be provided tothe filter of CDU 106.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the cooling liquid within information handlingsystem 100 may have a particular flow through CDU 106, cooling liquidflow switch 108, and cold plate 104. For example, a normal coolingliquid flow may include cold liquid from CDU 106 to cooling liquid flowswitch 108 through pipe 120, and from the cooling liquid flow switch tocold plate 104 through pipe 122. This normal cooling liquid flow mayalso include hot liquid from cold plate 104 to cooling liquid flowswitch 108 through pipe 124, and from the cooling liquid flow switch toCDU 106 through pipe 126. In an example, CDU 106 may include a filter,which may receive the hot liquid and filter the hot liquid before it isprovided to the external heat exchanger.

During operation of information handling system 100, a determination toreverse the cooling liquid flow to remove dirt and debris from coldplate 104 may be made in any suitable manner. For example, thedetermination may be based on a particular amount of time, a user input,or the like. In response to the determination that the cooling liquidflow should be reversed, motor 110 may activate, or a user may utilizemanual rotation mechanism 112, and rotate an insert within coolingliquid flow switch 108 as will be described below with respect to FIGS.3-7 below. In response to the rotation of the insert within coolingliquid flow switch 108, the cooling liquid flow may be reversed asdescribed with respect to FIG. 2 .

Referring to FIG. 2 , cooling liquid flow switch creates a reversecooling liquid flow within information handling system 100. For example,the cooling liquid within information handling system 100 may have aparticular reverse flow through CDU 106, cooling liquid flow switch 108,and cold plate 104. In this example, the reverse cooling liquid flow mayinclude cold liquid from CDU 106 to cooling liquid flow switch 108through pipe 120, and from the cooling liquid flow switch to cold plate104 through pipe 124. This reverse cooling liquid flow may also includehot liquid from cold plate 104 to cooling liquid flow switch 108 throughpipe 122, and from the cooling liquid flow switch to CDU 106 throughpipe 126.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the cooling liquid flow between CDU 106 andcooling liquid flow switch 108 does not change between the normalcooling liquid flow and the reverse cooling flow, but the cooling liquidflow does change between the cooling liquid flow switch and cold plate104. In an example, the cooling liquid flow between CDU 106 and coolingliquid flow switch 108 remains the same in both the normal flow and thereverse flow because the CDU connections between the CDU and an externalheat exchanger never change. In this example, the cold and hot liquidpipes 120 and 122 need to remain the same as well. In the reversecooling liquid flow, the pipes to carry the cold and hot liquid areswapped as compared to the normal flow. In an example, the switching ofthe cooling liquid flow may cause the cooling liquid to flow throughcold plate 104 in an opposite direction as compared to the normal flow.This reverse or opposite flow of cooling liquid through cold plate 104may cause the build up of dirt or debris to be removed from the microchannels of the cold plate. The reversing of the cooling liquid flow isperformed within cooling liquid flow switch 108 as will be describedwith respect to FIGS. 3-7 below.

FIGS. 3-7 illustrate a cooling liquid flow switch 300 according to atleast one embodiment of the present disclosure. Cooling liquid flowswitch 300 may be substantially similar to cooling liquid flow switch ofFIGS. 1 and 2 . Cooling liquid flow switch 300 includes a top plate 302and a bottom plate 304, and an insert 306 located within an opening ofthe top plate. As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 7 , cooling liquid flowswitch 300 further includes an insert 402 located within an opening ofbottom portion 304. Cooling liquid flow switch 300 also includes a rod308 substantially in the center of inserts 306 and 402 to hold theinserts together and cause the inserts to rotate at substantially thesame time.

Pipes 310 and 312 are connected to top plate 302 and pipes 314 and 316are connected to bottom plate 304. As illustrated in FIG. 3 , pipe 310is connected to a first edge of top plate 302 and pipe 312 is connectedto a second edge of the top plate. In an example, pipes 310 and 312 areconnected substantially near a third edge of top plate 302. The firstand second edges of top plate 302 are opposite of each other, and thirdand fourth edges of the top plate are opposite of each other. Pipe 316is connected to a first edge of bottom plate 304 and pipe 314 isconnected to a second edge of the bottom plate. In an example, pipes 314and 316 are connected substantially near a fourth edge of bottom plate304. The third and fourth edges of bottom plate 304 are opposite of eachother, and third and fourth edges of the top plate are opposite of eachother. In an example, the third edge of top plate 302 is on an oppositeside of cooling liquid flow switch 300 as compared to the fourth edge ofbottom plate 304. In this example, pipes 310 and 312 may be connectedalong one side of cooling liquid flow switch 300 and pipes 314 and 316may be connected to an opposite side of the cooling liquid flow switch.

As shown in FIG. 3 , top plate 302 includes flow channels 320, 322, and324. Flow channel 320 is connected to pipe 310 at the first edge of topplate 302 and routed within the top plate along the third edge for aparticular distance. At the particular distance, flow channel 320changes directions and is routed toward and intersects the opening oftop plate 302. In an example, flow channel 322 is connected to pipe 312at the second edge of the top plate and routed within the top platealong the third edge for a particular distance. At the particulardistance, flow channel 322 changes directions and is routed toward andintersects the opening of top plate 302. In an example, flow channel 322may include an opening 340 to enable cooling liquid to flow between theflow channel and a flow channel of bottom plate 304. Flow channel 324 isrouted within top plate 302 starting near the second edge of the topplate and is routed along the fourth edge for a particular distance. Atthe particular distance, flow channel 324 changes directions and isrouted toward and intersects the opening of top plate 302. In anexample, flow channel 324 may include an opening 342 to enable coolingliquid to flow between the flow channel and a flow channel of bottomplate 304.

In an example, insert 306 includes flow channels 330 and 332. In thisexample, flow channels are routed within insert 306 substantiallyparallel to each other but on opposite edges of insert 306. Both ends offlow channel 330 intersect with edges of insert 306. Similarly, bothends of flow channel 330 intersect with edges of insert 306. As shown inFIG. 3 , insert 306 is placed in a first position. When in the firstposition, flow channel 330 of insert 306 connects with both flow channel320 and flow channel 322 of top plate 302. In the first position,cooling liquid may flow through pipe 310, flow channels 320, 330, and322, and pipe 312 as illustrated by arrows 350. When insert 306 is inthe first position, cold cooling liquid may flow from CDU 106 of FIG. 1, through pipe 310, flow channels 320, 330, and 322, and pipe 312, andinto cold plate 104 of FIG. 1 . Also while insert 306 is in the firstposition, cooling liquid from pipe 314 may enter flow channel 324 viaopening 342 of top plate 302. In this situation, the cooling liquid frompipe 314 may flow along flow channels 324 and 332 and dead end into asurface of top plate 302 as illustrated by arrows 352.

Referring to FIG. 4 , an exploded view of cooling liquid flow switch 300is shown. Cooling liquid flow switch includes an insert 402 and a middleplate 404. Middle plate 404 includes flow openings 406 and 408. Bottomplate 304 includes flow channels 410, 412, and 414. Flow channel 410 maybe connected to pipe 316 at the first edge of bottom plate 304 androuted within the bottom plate along the fourth edge for a particulardistance. At the particular distance, flow channel 410 changesdirections and is routed towards and intersects the opening of bottomplate 304. In an example, flow channel 412 may be connected to pipe 314at the second edge of the bottom plate and routed within the bottomplate along the fourth edge for a particular distance. At the particulardistance, flow channel 412 changes directions and is routed towards andintersects the opening of bottom plate 304.

In an example, flow channel 412 may include an opening to enable coolingliquid to flow between the flow channel and flow channel 314 of topplate 302 via flow opening 408 of middle plate 404. Flow channel 414 isrouted within bottom plate 304 starting near the second edge of thebottom plate and is routed along the third edge for a particulardistance. At the particular distance, flow channel 414 changesdirections and is routed towards and intersects the opening of bottomplate 304. In an example, flow channel 414 may include an opening toenable cooling liquid to flow between the flow channel and flow channel322 of top plate 302 via flow opening 406 of middle plate 404. Insert402 includes flow channels 420 and 422 as will be described with respectto FIG. 5 .

Referring to FIG. 5 , a bottom view of cooling liquid flow switch 300 isillustrated. In this view, connections between flow channels 410 and 412of bottom plate 304 with flow channel 420 of insert 402 are shown anddescribed, as well as connections between flow channel 414 of the bottomplate with flow channel 422 of the insert. As illustrated in FIG. 5 ,pipe 316 is connected to a first edge of bottom plate 304 and pipe 314is connected to a second edge of the bottom plate. In an example, pipes314 and 316 are connected substantially near a fourth edge of bottomplate 304.

In an example, flow channels 420 and 422 are routed within insert 402substantially parallel to each other but on opposite edges of insert402. Both ends of flow channel 420 intersect with edges of insert 402.Similarly, both ends of flow channel 422 intersect with edges of insert402. As shown in FIG. 5 , insert 402 is placed in a first position. Whenin the first position, flow channel 420 of insert 402 connects with bothflow channel 410 and flow channel 412 of bottom plate 304. In the firstposition, cooling liquid may flow through pipe 314, flow channels 412,420, and 410, and pipe 316 as illustrated by arrows 352. When insert 402is in the first position, hot cooling liquid may flow from cold plate104 of FIG. 1 , through pipe 314, flow channels 412, 420, and 410, andpipe 306, and into CDU 116 of FIG. 1 . Also while insert 402 is in thefirst position, cooling liquid from pipe 310 may enter flow channel 414via opening 504 of bottom plate 304. In this situation, the coolingliquid from pipe 310 may flow along flow channels 414 and 422 and deadend into a surface of bottom plate 304 as illustrated by arrows 350.

Referring to FIG. 6 , insert 306 may be rotated, via motor 110 or manualrotation mechanism 112 of FIG. 1 , from the first position to a secondposition. In an example, insert 306 may be rotated in any suitabledirection, such as in the direction of arrow 602. When insert 306 is inthe second position, flow channels 330 and 332 are in a direction thatis perpendicular to the direction when insert 306 was in the firstposition. When in the second position, flow channel 330 of insert 306connects with both flow channel 320 and flow channel 324 of top plate302. In the second position, cooling liquid may flow through pipe 310,flow channels 320, 330, and 324, opening 342, and pipe 312 asillustrated by arrows 350. When insert 306 is in the second position,cold cooling liquid may flow from CDU 106 of FIG. 1 , through pipe 310,flow channels 320, 330, and 324, opening 342, and pipe 312, and intocold plate 104 of FIG. 1 . Also while insert 306 is in the firstposition, cooling liquid from pipe 312 may enter flow channel 322 viaopening 340 of top plate 302. In this situation, the cooling liquid frompipe 312 may flow along flow channels 322 and 332 and dead end into asurface of top plate 302 as illustrated by arrows 352.

Referring to FIG. 7 , insert 402 may be rotated, via motor 110 or manualrotation mechanism 112 of FIG. 1 , from the first position to the secondposition. In an example, insert 402 may be rotated in any suitabledirection, such as in the direction of arrow 702. When insert 402 is inthe second position, flow channels 420 and 422 are in a direction thatis perpendicular to the direction when insert 402 was in the firstposition. When in the second position, flow channel 420 of insert 402connects with both flow channel 410 and flow channel 414 of bottom plate304. In the second position, cooling liquid may flow through pipe 314,opening 504, flow channels 414, 420, and 410, and pipe 310 asillustrated by arrows 352. When insert 402 is in the second position,hot cooling liquid may flow from cold plate 104 of FIG. 1 , through pipe314, opening 504, flow channels 414, 420, and 410, and pipe 310, andinto CDU 106 of FIG. 1 . Also while insert 402 is in the secondposition, cooling liquid from pipe 316 may enter flow channel 412 viaopening 502 of bottom plate 304. In this situation, the cooling liquidfrom pipe 316 may flow along flow channels 412 and 422 and dead end intoa surface of bottom plate 304 as illustrated by arrows 350.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5-7 , cooling liquid flow may be reversedwith respect to pipes 312 and 314 based on whether inserts 306 and 402are in the first position or the second position. In an example, thecooling liquid flow between CDU 106 and cooling liquid flow switch 300need to remain the same when inserts 306 and 402 are both in the firstand second position because the CDU connections between the CDU and anexternal heat exchanger never change. In this example, the cold and hotliquid pipes 310 and 316 need to remain the same as well. When inserts306 and 402 are in the second position, pipes 312 and 314 to carry thecold and hot liquid are swapped as compared to when the inserts are inthe first position. In an example, the switching of the cooling liquidflow may cause the cooling liquid to flow through cold plate 104 of FIG.1 in an opposite direction as compared to when inserts 306 and 402 arein the first position. This reverse or opposite flow of cooling liquidthrough cold plate 104 of FIG. 1 may cause the build up of dirt ordebris to be removed from the micro channels of the cold plate.

FIG. 8 shows a generalized embodiment of an information handling system800 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For purpose ofthis disclosure an information handling system can include anyinstrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute,classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch,store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilizeany form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific,control, entertainment, or other purposes. For example, informationhandling system 800 can be a personal computer, a laptop computer, asmart phone, a tablet device or other consumer electronic device, anetwork server, a network storage device, a switch router or othernetwork communication device, or any other suitable device and may varyin size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. Further,information handling system 800 can include processing resources forexecuting machine-executable code, such as a central processing unit(CPU), a programmable logic array (PLA), an embedded device such as aSystem-on-a-Chip (SoC), or other control logic hardware. Informationhandling system 800 can also include one or more computer-readablemedium for storing machine-executable code, such as software or data.Additional components of information handling system 800 can include oneor more storage devices that can store machine-executable code, one ormore communications ports for communicating with external devices, andvarious input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, anda video display. Information handling system 800 can also include one ormore buses operable to transmit information between the various hardwarecomponents.

Information handling system 800 can include devices or modules thatembody one or more of the devices or modules described below andoperates to perform one or more of the methods described below.Information handling system 800 includes a processors 802 and 804, aninput/output (I/O) interface 810, memories 820 and 825, a graphicsinterface 830, a basic input and output system/universal extensiblefirmware interface (BIOS/UEFI) module 840, a disk controller 850, a harddisk drive (HDD) 854, an optical disk drive (ODD) 856, a disk emulator860 connected to an external solid state drive (SSD) 862, an I/O bridge870, one or more add-on resources 874, a trusted platform module (TPM)876, a network interface 880, a management device 890, and a powersupply 895. Processors 802 and 804, I/O interface 810, memory 820,graphics interface 830, BIOS/UEFI module 840, disk controller 850, HDD854, ODD 856, disk emulator 860, SSD 862, I/O bridge 870, add-onresources 874, TPM 876, and network interface 880 operate together toprovide a host environment of information handling system 800 thatoperates to provide the data processing functionality of the informationhandling system. The host environment operates to executemachine-executable code, including platform BIOS/UEFI code, devicefirmware, operating system code, applications, programs, and the like,to perform the data processing tasks associated with informationhandling system 800.

In the host environment, processor 802 is connected to I/O interface 810via processor interface 806, and processor 804 is connected to the I/Ointerface via processor interface 808. Memory 820 is connected toprocessor 802 via a memory interface 822. Memory 825 is connected toprocessor 804 via a memory interface 827. Graphics interface 830 isconnected to I/O interface 810 via a graphics interface 832 and providesa video display output 836 to a video display 834. In a particularembodiment, information handling system 800 includes separate memoriesthat are dedicated to each of processors 802 and 804 via separate memoryinterfaces. An example of memories 820 and 825 include random accessmemory (RAM) such as static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), non-volatileRAM (NV-RAM), or the like, read only memory (ROM), another type ofmemory, or a combination thereof.

BIOS/UEFI module 840, disk controller 850, and I/O bridge 870 areconnected to I/O interface 810 via an I/O channel 812. An example of I/Ochannel 812 includes a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI)interface, a PCI-Extended (PCI-X) interface, a high-speed PCI-Express(PCIe) interface, another industry standard or proprietary communicationinterface, or a combination thereof. I/O interface 810 can also includeone or more other I/O interfaces, including an Industry StandardArchitecture (ISA) interface, a Small Computer Serial Interface (SCSI)interface, an Inter-Integrated Circuit (I²C) interface, a System PacketInterface (SPI), a Universal Serial Bus (USB), another interface, or acombination thereof. BIOS/UEFI module 840 includes BIOS/UEFI codeoperable to detect resources within information handling system 800, toprovide drivers for the resources, initialize the resources, and accessthe resources. BIOS/UEFI module 840 includes code that operates todetect resources within information handling system 800, to providedrivers for the resources, to initialize the resources, and to accessthe resources.

Disk controller 850 includes a disk interface 852 that connects the diskcontroller to HDD 854, to ODD 856, and to disk emulator 860. An exampleof disk interface 852 includes an Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE)interface, an Advanced Technology Attachment (ATA) such as a parallelATA (PATA) interface or a serial ATA (SATA) interface, a SCSI interface,a USB interface, a proprietary interface, or a combination thereof. Diskemulator 860 permits SSD 864 to be connected to information handlingsystem 800 via an external interface 862. An example of externalinterface 862 includes a USB interface, an IEEE 3394 (Firewire)interface, a proprietary interface, or a combination thereof.Alternatively, solid-state drive 864 can be disposed within informationhandling system 800.

I/O bridge 870 includes a peripheral interface 872 that connects the I/Obridge to add-on resource 874, to TPM 876, and to network interface 880.Peripheral interface 872 can be the same type of interface as I/Ochannel 812 or can be a different type of interface. As such, I/O bridge870 extends the capacity of I/O channel 812 when peripheral interface872 and the I/O channel are of the same type, and the I/O bridgetranslates information from a format suitable to the I/O channel to aformat suitable to the peripheral channel 872 when they are of adifferent type. Add-on resource 874 can include a data storage system,an additional graphics interface, a network interface card (NIC), asound/video processing card, another add-on resource, or a combinationthereof. Add-on resource 874 can be on a main circuit board, on separatecircuit board or add-in card disposed within information handling system800, a device that is external to the information handling system, or acombination thereof.

Network interface 880 represents a NIC disposed within informationhandling system 800, on a main circuit board of the information handlingsystem, integrated onto another component such as I/O interface 810, inanother suitable location, or a combination thereof. Network interfacedevice 880 includes network channels 882 and 884 that provide interfacesto devices that are external to information handling system 800. In aparticular embodiment, network channels 882 and 884 are of a differenttype than peripheral channel 872 and network interface 880 translatesinformation from a format suitable to the peripheral channel to a formatsuitable to external devices. An example of network channels 882 and 884includes InfiniBand channels, Fibre Channel channels, Gigabit Ethernetchannels, proprietary channel architectures, or a combination thereof.Network channels 882 and 884 can be connected to external networkresources (not illustrated). The network resource can include anotherinformation handling system, a data storage system, another network, agrid management system, another suitable resource, or a combinationthereof.

Management device 890 represents one or more processing devices, such asa dedicated baseboard management controller (BMC) System-on-a-Chip (SoC)device, one or more associated memory devices, one or more networkinterface devices, a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), and thelike, which operate together to provide the management environment forinformation handling system 800. In particular, management device 890 isconnected to various components of the host environment via variousinternal communication interfaces, such as a Low Pin Count (LPC)interface, an Inter-Integrated-Circuit (I2C) interface, a PCIeinterface, or the like, to provide an out-of-band (OOB) mechanism toretrieve information related to the operation of the host environment,to provide BIOS/UEFI or system firmware updates, to managenon-processing components of information handling system 800, such assystem cooling fans and power supplies. Management device 890 caninclude a network connection to an external management system, and themanagement device can communicate with the management system to reportstatus information for information handling system 800, to receiveBIOS/UEFI or system firmware updates, or to perform other task formanaging and controlling the operation of information handling system800.

Management device 890 can operate off of a separate power plane from thecomponents of the host environment so that the management devicereceives power to manage information handling system 800 when theinformation handling system is otherwise shut down. An example ofmanagement device 890 include a commercially available BMC product orother device that operates in accordance with an Intelligent PlatformManagement Initiative (IPMI) specification, a Web Services Management(WSMan) interface, a Redfish Application Programming Interface (API),another Distributed Management Task Force (DMTF), or other managementstandard, and can include an Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller(iDRAC), an Embedded Controller (EC), or the like. Management device 890may further include associated memory devices, logic devices, securitydevices, or the like, as needed or desired.

Although only a few exemplary embodiments have been described in detailherein, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that manymodifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments withoutmaterially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of theembodiments of the present disclosure. Accordingly, all suchmodifications are intended to be included within the scope of theembodiments of the present disclosure as defined in the followingclaims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to coverthe structures described herein as performing the recited function andnot only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures.

The above-disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, andnot restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover any andall such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments that fallwithin the scope of the present invention. Thus, to the maximum extentallowed by law, the scope of the present invention is to be determinedby the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims andtheir equivalents and shall not be restricted or limited by theforegoing detailed description.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cooling liquid flow switch for an information handling system, the cooling liquid flow switch comprising: a top plate including: a first opening in a center of the first top plate; and a first plurality of flow channels; a first rotatable insert located within the first opening of the top plate, the first rotatable insert to rotate between first and second positions, the first rotatable insert to create a first liquid flow configuration within the first flow channels when in the first position, and the first rotatable insert to create a second liquid flow configuration within the first flow channels when in the first position; a bottom plate including: a second opening in a center of the bottom top plate; and a second plurality of flow channels; and a second rotatable insert located within the second opening of the bottom plate, the second rotatable insert to rotate between the first and second positions, the second rotatable insert to create a third liquid flow configuration within the second flow channels when in the first position, and the second rotatable insert to create a fourth liquid flow configuration within the second flow channels when in the second position.
 2. The cooling liquid flow switch of claim 1, further comprising a middle plate including third and fourth openings, the middle plate located in between the top and bottom plate, the third and fourth openings connect the first and second flow channels.
 3. The cooling liquid flow switch of claim 1, further comprising a rod extending between the first and second rotatable inserts, wherein the rod causes the first and second rotatable inserts to rotate at a same time.
 4. The cooling liquid flow switch of claim 1, further comprising: a first cooling liquid pipe in physical communication with a first edge of the top plate near a second edge of the top plate; and a second cooling liquid pipe in physical communication with a third edge of the top plate near the second edge of the top plate.
 5. The cooling liquid flow switch of claim 4, further comprising: a third cooling liquid pipe in physical communication with a third edge of the bottom plate near a fourth edge of the bottom plate; and a fourth cooling liquid pipe in physical communication with a fifth edge of the bottom plate near the fourth edge of the top plate.
 6. The cooling liquid flow switch of claim 5, when the top and bottom plates are stacked on each other, the second edge of the top plate and the fourth edge of the bottom plate are at distal ends of the top and bottom plates.
 7. The cooling liquid flow switch of claim 1, wherein the first position of the first and second rotatable inserts creates a first cooling liquid flow direction, and the second position of the first and second rotatable inserts creates a second cooling liquid flow direction.
 8. The cooling liquid flow switch of claim 1, wherein the first and second positions are perpendicular to each other.
 9. An information handling system comprising: a processor; a cold plate to provide liquid cooling to the processor; a cooling distribution unit to provide a cold liquid flow to the cold plate and to receive a hot liquid flow from the cold plate; and a cooling liquid flow switch coupled in between the cold plate and the cooling distribution unit, wherein the cold liquid flow and the hot liquid flow travel through the cooling liquid flow switch, the cooling liquid flow switch including: a top plate having a first opening in a center of the first top plate, and a first plurality of flow channels; a first rotatable insert located within the first opening of the top plate, the first rotatable insert to rotate between first and second positions, the first rotatable insert to create a first liquid flow configuration within the first flow channels when in the first position, and the first rotatable insert to create a second liquid flow configuration within the first flow channels when in the first position; a bottom plate having a second opening in a center of the bottom top plate, and a second plurality of flow channels; and a second rotatable insert located within the second opening of the bottom plate, the second rotatable insert to rotate between the first and second positions, the second rotatable insert to create a third liquid flow configuration within the second flow channels when in the first position, and the second rotatable insert to create a fourth liquid flow configuration within the second flow channels when in the second position.
 10. The information handling system of claim 9, wherein the cooling liquid flow switch further comprises a middle plate including third and fourth openings, the middle plate located in between the top and bottom plate, the third and fourth openings connect the first and second flow channels.
 11. The information handling system of claim 9, wherein the cooling liquid flow switch further comprises a rod extending between the first and second rotatable inserts, wherein the rod causes the first and second rotatable inserts to rotate at a same time.
 12. The information handling system of claim 11, wherein the cooling liquid flow switch further comprises: a first cooling liquid pipe in physical communication with a first edge of the top plate near a second edge of the top plate; and a second cooling liquid pipe in physical communication with a third edge of the top plate near the second edge of the top plate.
 13. The information handling system of claim 12, wherein the cooling liquid flow switch further comprises: a third cooling liquid pipe in physical communication with a third edge of the bottom plate near a fourth edge of the bottom plate; and a fourth cooling liquid pipe in physical communication with a fifth edge of the bottom plate near the fourth edge of the top plate.
 14. The information handling system of claim 13, when the top and bottom plates are stacked on each other, the second edge of the top plate and the fourth edge of the bottom plate are at distal ends of the top and bottom plates.
 15. The information handling system of claim 9, wherein the first position of the first and second rotatable inserts creates a first cooling liquid flow direction, and the second position of the first and second rotatable inserts creates a second cooling liquid flow direction.
 16. The information handling system of claim 9, wherein the first and second positions are perpendicular to each other.
 17. A cooling liquid flow switch for an information handling system, the cooling liquid flow switch comprising: a top plate including: a first opening in a center of the first top plate; and a first plurality of flow channels; a bottom plate including: a second opening in a center of the bottom top plate; and a second plurality of flow channels; a middle plate including third and fourth openings, the middle plate disposed between the top and bottom plate, the third and fourth openings connect the first and second flow channels; a first rotatable insert disposed within the first opening of the top plate, the first rotatable insert to rotate between first and second positions, the first rotatable insert to create a first liquid flow configuration within the first flow channels when in the first position, and the first rotatable insert to create a second liquid flow configuration within the first flow channels when in the first position; a second rotatable insert located within the second opening of the bottom plate, the second rotatable insert to rotate between the first and second positions, the second rotatable insert to create a third liquid flow configuration within the second flow channels when in the first position, and the second rotatable insert to create a fourth liquid flow configuration within the second flow channels when in the second position; and a rod extending between the first and second rotatable inserts, wherein the rod causes the first and second rotatable inserts to rotate at a same time.
 18. The cooling liquid flow switch of claim 17, further comprising: a first cooling liquid pipe in physical communication with a first edge of the top plate near a second edge of the top plate; and a second cooling liquid pipe in physical communication with a third edge of the top plate near the second edge of the top plate.
 19. The cooling liquid flow switch of claim 18, further comprising: a third cooling liquid pipe in physical communication with a third edge of the bottom plate near a fourth edge of the bottom plate; and a fourth cooling liquid pipe in physical communication with a fifth edge of the bottom plate near the fourth edge of the top plate.
 20. The cooling liquid flow switch of claim 17, wherein the first position of the first and second rotatable inserts creates a first cooling liquid flow direction, and the second position of the first and second rotatable inserts creates a second cooling liquid flow direction. 